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Heritage Committee

Heritage Committee Mission Statement

The mission of the Heritage Committee is to collect and preserve books, uniforms, photographs, media and artifacts representative of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, to provide an overview and location of all archival education, research and services of the School, to display materials at appropriate functions and to work collaboratively with the School in promoting visibility of its heritage.

Nursing Alumni Society Heritage Committee

The Nursing Alumni Society Heritage Committee manages and maintains the History Center for the Future of Nursing that is located on the 5th floor of Weaver-Densford Hall. The History Center for the Future of Nursing was established in 1981 to house a representative collection of books, uniforms, photographs, papers, media and artifacts of historical significance. The Heritage Committee maintains an inventory of all materials preserved in the History Center, in Anderson Library Archives, or in the Densford Center. In addition, the History Center provides the space for students, faculty, alumni and visitors to read the books and view original photographs as well as access the entire collection of electronically-stored materials.

The collection represents the history and historical changes of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. These items are arranged, documented and identified by topic, time sequence, and individuals involved. Items will be made accessible by contacting the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Heritage Committee Partners with University Resources

The Heritage Committee consults and works with Anderson Library Archives, the Densford Center and the Wangensteen Library (rare book collections) regarding the collection and location of the School of Nursing historical information. Visual historical items, books, photographs, papers (scrapbooks, news articles, etc.) media (slides, tapes, videos, films), awards, uniforms and other artifacts are donated to the History Center collection or directly to the University of Minnesota archives. Written historical documents, Deans’ papers, faculty papers, project reports, records of programs, bulletins, research papers and other materials significant to the history of the school are sent directly to the Anderson Library University Archives. The Heritage Committee maintains a master list of nursing items in the Anderson Library Archives. A master list of items maintained in the History Center is shared with the Anderson Archives.

Screening

The Heritage Committee makes decisions about the disposition of donations. When possible, donors complete the Heritage Committee Acquisitions/Donor form.

Criteria for Accepting Donations

The following are general criteria used by the Heritage Committee for accepting donations:

Items related to the individual's experience with the School of Nursing.

Items published by the faculty, alumni, and students and related to nursing.

Class pictures and other photographs depicting nursing school experience.

Hollowware that is related to the School of Nursing or nursing history.

Duplicated items may be accepted for evaluation of their condition and salability.

Other Roles of the Heritage Committee.

Review collection to identify items needed to fill gaps as well as continue gathering historical items needed for the present.

Although donations are preferred, the committee may determine that an item will be purchased.

The committee may refer some donation items to other museums.

Review policies and procedures of the Heritage Committee every two/five years.

Update and change displays in the History Center.

Rent, loan, sell and dispose of items as appropriate under the guidelines

Access policies

Visitors must make an appointment prior to visiting the History Center for the Future of Nursing. Walk-in visitors cannot be accommodated.

Visitors must submit an appointment request and a statement of the reason for their visit to the Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations.

Visits will be scheduled by the Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations and monitors (staff or Heritage Committee members) will help the visitors.

Materials cannot be checked out and must be used in the History Center. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by the monitors. Depending on the type of materials you request, visitors will fill out a separate slip for each book, photo album, box (or range of boxes) or other items you wish to see. When using materials:

Do not take any materials from the collections out of the History Center. When you have finished using the materials, put them back in the box.

Use one box at a time and remove only one folder from the box at a time. Use an “out-card” to mark the folder position within the box. “Out cards” are available in the History Center or from the staff.

Handle all items carefully. Materials must not be written on, fastened together, or altered in any way. Keep the original order of file folders in boxes and items within folders and photo albums. If you find problems with the condition or arrangement of materials, bring them to the attention of the monitor.

Materials that are fragile or rare may need special handling. Monitors will explain how to handle the items.

Use only pencils to take notes.

Check with the monitor to see if you are allowed to photograph documents. If photography is allowed with the materials you are using, please turn off the camera sounds and flash.

Monitors will provide photocopies of material at the visitor's expense when such duplication can be done without injury to the material and does not violate copyright restrictions or restrictions imposed by agreement with the donor. We do not duplicate entire archival collections, or all the text of individual books, manuscripts, or boxes of material. Use of personal copiers or scanners is prohibited.

Links to Historical Resources

University of Minnesota Anderson Archives: University of Minnesota Archives has a wide-range of materials that document the history of the School of Nursing, its faculty, and students. Contact them for more information.